Saab moves up a gear

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Saab describes its new 9-3 model as a sports sedan - "the first Saab in the segment and the first step in the biggest production development programme in Saab's history".

Gone is the Swedish carmaker's traditional reliance on safety and versatility as a first-up marketing tool.

With the latest 9-3 - its first new model in more than eight years - it has entered BMW territory and is pushing driving dynamics and performance.

"The all-new 9-3 is dedicated to delivering a unique, fun-to-drive experience that promises to set new standards for the class," says Saab chief Peter Augustsson.

"It offers a level of driver involvement never seen before from Saab.

"It is a formula designed to appeal to young premium car buyers who place a priority on a rewarding driving experience but who also want to express their individuality through choosing a distinctive, less commonplace brand."

So what's new? All the safety technology Saab is known for is there (it put the 9-3 through 75 real and simulated crash tests), along with its turbocharged engines and unique cabin.

But the new model has a longer wheelbase and wider track, new manual and automatic gearboxes, stronger body, all-new four-cylinder engines, shorter front and rear overhangs, a more deeply raked windscreen than before, prominent wheel arches and bolder C-pillar.

The electronics include Bluetooth wireless communication technology, the stuff that cellphone company Nokia talks about.

Saab says this will let mobile phones and laptop computers talk to the car.

The body of the new 9-3 is the same length as its predecessor but Saab has increased the width by 55mm and wheelbase by 71mm to improve interior room, especially for rear passengers.

There is a new display, called SID, or Saab Information Display, which sits high on the redesigned centre console. The ignition key still sits between the front seats, near the gearshift.

The 9-3 shares its underpinnings with the new Holden Vectra, which is due here later this year.

But Saab says its chassis is stronger, that the 9-3 uses more sophisticated front and rear suspension systems, including passive rear-wheel steering.

It says that lighter alloy components in the suspension and a 200 per cent increase in torsional rigidity over the outgoing car will markedly help to improve handling and ride.

The platform has been designed to handle a four-wheel-drive system. Saab is already testing a four-wheel-drive based on the 9-3 chassis.

The 9-3 comes with a choice of three four-cylinder 2-litre engines, delivering 110kW/240Nm, 129kW/265Nm and 154kW/300Nm and mated to either six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearboxes.

The all-alloy units share their basic design with the L850 Opel engine used in rebadged Holden vehicles such as the people-mover Zafira and upcoming Vectra.

But Saab says the engines it uses contain exclusive internal technology, including turbocharging.

The 9-3 is the first of a new raft of Saabs, about one a year until 2007. Saab says each will offer driving dynamics and performance along with the carmaker's legacy of safety and strength.

The 9-3 will be launched in Sweden in July and is expected to go on sale here later this year.